Funeral service held for Keith Palmer, who was stabbed in the Westminster terror attack
Thousands of police officers and staff across the country marked the funeral of Keith Palmer, the constable who was killed in last month’s Westminster attack.
The 48-year-old father and husband was stabbed to death by Khalid Masood as he carried out his duties on the cobbled forecourt outside the Houses of Parliament.
Around 50 members of Mr Palmer’s family, including his wife, child, mother and father, brother and sisters, attended his funeral service at Southwark Cathedral, central London.
Also present was Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
As many as 5,000 officers from the Metropolitan Police and other forces, including a delegation from the New York Police Department, joined the service or lined the cortege route as members of the public looked on.
“During Keith’s policing service he met and worked alongside many officers and left a positive impression on all. And we will all miss him greatly,” said Chief Inspector Neil Sawyer, one of Mr Palmer’s friends, in a eulogy.
“I know this because over the last couple of weeks so many of these colleagues and friends have told me as much.
“I will close with these thoughts from myself, Keith’s colleagues and friends – his spirit will never leave us and he will remain an inspiration to us all. Keith’s blue lamp will shine bright forever. And on behalf of us all we say thank you – Keith made a difference and we will not forget.”
Thousands more officers and staff at police stations across the country marked two minutes’ silence at 2pm.
Met Commissioner Cressida Dick, the first female head of Scotland Yard in its 188-year history, attended the full force funeral in her first public engagement in her new role.
